The Ukrainian midfielder of the Lithuanian club reflected on the spectacular comeback against Dinamo Tbilisi and previewed the clash with the Whites in the Conference League.
Hajduk's footballers begin a new European adventure on Thursday, and their first hurdle in the third qualifying round of the Conference League will be Žalgiris from Vilnius. The Lithuanians enter this tie with immense confidence after pulling off one of the craziest comebacks in the history of European competitions against Dinamo Tbilisi in the previous round.
After losing the first leg 0-3, Žalgiris won the return leg in front of their own fans with a stunning 7-2 scoreline. Ukrainian midfielder Ivan Serhiyovych Litvinenko spoke about that unforgettable night and the upcoming opponent, sending a clear message to the Split club.
Litvinenko emotionally described the celebration following the victory over Georgian side Dinamo. "The stands felt like an earthquake had struck. Everyone was celebrating. My wife and son were at the stadium; I saw their joy and the joy of the people around them. It was something incredible," the Ukrainian midfielder recalled for Telegram.hr.
He also emphasized the exceptional bond between the team and the fans, which he believes is a key factor in building a winning mentality. "We have a family atmosphere here, together with the fans. They give us huge support, travel to away games, and spend their own money on it... In one week, we lost 0-3 and then won 7-2. That shows how mentally strong our team is," he added.
Litvinenko is aware of the quality and reputation of the Split club, but he has no intention of laying down his arms in advance. "We are aware that Hajduk is a big club and that it will be extremely tough, especially away at Poljud," he said. "We respect the opponent, but the most important thing is to carry from this win against Dinamo the knowledge that we have character."
Although he admits that Hajduk is the favorite, he believes his team can put up a serious fight. "Hajduk is certainly stronger than our previous opponents, but we will give our all to offer them serious resistance. They also need to understand that Žalgiris is not a team that can be easily beaten," Litvinenko stated.
The first leg between Žalgiris and Hajduk takes place on Thursday in Vilnius, with the return leg scheduled a week later at Poljud.
